FALLEN | The Devil of Caracas

Chapter 24 | Doctor's Note

Hugo anxiously waits for his informant. His shoes crunch atop the broken glass and fragments of dirt as he paces back and forth. The abandoned factory has been condemned for nearly six years. He weaves between the large, rusted machines on the manufacturing floor, checking his watch.  Then he adjusts the waistline of his pants, tightening his belt; he hasn't worn the small pistol for several months and he's forgotten how uncomfortable it is.

The weapon, tucked into a concealed holster at the small of his back, is one of many necessities he keeps in go-bag. The backpack also includes food, a map, water, a multi-tool, cash, a fake passport, and some additional items to help him escape Venezuela, if needed.

He hears footsteps. Hugo turns to the source of the sound. His hand grips the holstered gun. He sees Victoria walking toward him as she anxiously looks around the massive room. Hugo relaxes and strides in her direction. Victoria's heels echo against the concrete floor as she moves forward with uncanny grace. She seems out of place in the condemned building - wearing black slacks, a pair of bright teal pumps, and an expensive blouse. Her hair is pulled into a tight bun and her leather purse hangs from the nook of her left elbow.

"Okay, what've you got," he says.

She approaches Hugo cautiously and then halts about ten feet away from him. Victoria then extends her right hand and signals him to do the same. Hugo stops in his tracks.

"What?" he asks.

"Tell me the truth," Victoria starts. "Is the CIA helping Rodríguez?"

"What? What the hell are you talking about?" Hugo asks.

"Tell me the truth," she repeats. Her voice shakes. Her extended hand quivers. 

"Why the hell would the agency be helping him?" he asks.

"Don't bullshit me."

"Victoria, what the hell happened?"

"I have a recorded conversation between an American and the President talking about the Agency. It sure sounded like you guys are in bed with him."

"Then why would I have hired you to find dirt on the man?" Hugo asks.

"I don't know," she hisses. "No one ever knows why you people do what you do. How in the hell am I supposed to trust you? I'm risking my life here."

"Victoria," says Hugo. He puts his hands up and lowers them in a calming motion. "Breathe. We're doing this together. Now tell me... what happened."

Victoria relaxes her shoulders. "Something's not right," she says. She reaches into her purse and pulls out a USB flash drive. Stepping forward, she then hands over the small device. Hugo reaches out. Victoria pulls way and holds the flash drive in the air.

"There's something big happening either today or tomorrow," she says. "And this better be my ticket out of here."

Hugo shifts his weight to the left leg. "Victoria, we've talked about this. The U.S. government has agreed to grant you citizenship only when everything is done."

She shakes her head. "I don't know how much more of this I can take. Please. Please help me, Ricardo." She calls him by his false name - the only name she knows him by. Looking intently into his eyes, she hopes to inspire some humanity. Then she closes her hand around his, wrapping the flash drive in his palm.

Hugo lets out a sigh. "I'm going to take care of you," he says. "But you need to do as I say, remember?"

"Please," she repeats. "He is becoming more suspicious. He's involving me less and less in his meetings and schedules."